Germany: rubber industry pens first agreement on trade unions’ right to “virtual access” to employees

The social partners in Germany’s rubber industry have achieved a first in the country by signing a branch agreement that will authorise and regulate the right of trade unions to engage with employees at firms the sector via virtual means. In future, unions will be able to use the electronic means of communication available in the company to contact employees for trade union information purposes, under certain conditions. This agreement, which is the first of its kind in Germany, could shift the fault lines that exist between employers and trade unions on this highly controversial topic.